Outdoor encloser substrate
- Thread starter agoura
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- Aug 27, 2012
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Depends on the compost and how fine it is. You might find that only a trace of sand is needed.
Organic material breaks down and sand doesn't, so you end up with proportionately more sand than you put in. Must continually add more organic material.
Organic material breaks down and sand doesn't, so you end up with proportionately more sand than you put in. Must continually add more organic material.
I would forget the sand all together. Not really needed. Do dirt instead.
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2012
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Not all dirt is equal.
My boxies' outdoor habitats are pure compost. The substrate has great drainage, and also holds moisture well.
My RT habitat was built one summer when I had no finished compost. I had to buy top soil. It isn't the same at all. There were times when I tossed sand in to dry it up after the habitat got too wet & wouldn't dry. Times it's too dry.
I add compost to the habitat, and eventually that will comprise most of it.
If your soil is heavy clay, then sand is a good additive. I don't think sand is terrible in small quantities, sometimes its good, but some people are unalterably agin it.
My boxies' outdoor habitats are pure compost. The substrate has great drainage, and also holds moisture well.
My RT habitat was built one summer when I had no finished compost. I had to buy top soil. It isn't the same at all. There were times when I tossed sand in to dry it up after the habitat got too wet & wouldn't dry. Times it's too dry.
I add compost to the habitat, and eventually that will comprise most of it.
If your soil is heavy clay, then sand is a good additive. I don't think sand is terrible in small quantities, sometimes its good, but some people are unalterably agin it.
Coir stores water well, tried it?
Coco coir is great, but mine seeped into the dirt underneath on it;s own, so mix it something, like your compost or topsoil.
I have a large enclosure and I did half peat miss and half organic topsoil. Whenever I decide I need to add more I usually add more dirt than Pete Moss.
